Cover for a separating area of an air intake duct of an internal combustion engine

ABSTRACT

In connection with a cover for preventing foreign matters, such as water, dirt, ice, snow and the like, from entering into an air intake duct of an internal combustion engine, which cover covers an opening of the air intake duct at a separation area of the air intake duct in an air-permeable manner, when the separation area of the air intake duct is open, the cover is operatively connected to a mechanism by which the cover is movable from its covering position, in which the opening of the air intake duct is covered, into a withdrawn position, in which the opening of the air intake duct is uncovered so that the air intake duct can be closed at the separation area, and vice versa.

This is a Continuation-In-Part Application of pending International patent application PCT/EP2006/006947 filed Jul. 15, 2006 and claiming the priority of German patent application 10 2005 037 718.1 filed Aug. 10, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a cover for an open separating area of an air intake duct of an internal combustion engine for preventing foreign matter such as water, ice, snow or dirt from entering the air intake duct.

An air supply duct of this type is known from GB 2 055 719A. In this document, an air filter is arranged in a snorkel-like intake air line of a truck which is equipped with a tiltable vehicle cabin to which the intake air lone is attached and in communication with an inlet manifold which leads to the internal combustion engine of the truck. A safety cleaning element which is fixed to the inlet manifold is provided, in order to permit a separation of the intake air line from the inlet manifold and a forward tilting of the vehicle cabin without it being possible for dust to enter the air duct and the internal combustion engine.

The safety cleaning element, however, results in disadvantageous flow and pressure conditions and a reduced efficiency. The possibilities for protection also against larger dirt particles, water, ice, snow and the like are limited and the safety cleaning element must be frequently exchanged or cleaned.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a cover with which, while obtaining advantageous protection against the infiltration of foreign matter such as water, dirt, ice, snow and the like into the open separating area of an inlet duct of a truck with a tiltable cabin, improved flow and pressure conditions can be obtained, and with which fault-free operation over a long period of time is ensured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In connection with a cover for preventing foreign matters, such as water, dirt, ice, snow and the like, from entering into an air intake duct of an internal combustion engine, which cover covers an opening of the air intake duct at a separation area of the air intake duct in an air-permeable manner, when the separation area of the air intake duct is open, the cover is operatively connected to a mechanism by which the cover is movable from its covering position, in which the opening of the air intake duct is covered, into a withdrawn position, in which the opening of the air intake duct is uncovered so that the air intake duct can be closed at the separation area, and vice versa.

The invention will become more readily apparent from the following description of two preferred exemplary embodiments on the basis of the drawings:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a first exemplary embodiment of a cover which, by means of a pivot bearing, is fastened to, and supported by, an air guide duct of a filter housing;

FIG. 2 shows, in a partial side view of a vehicle, a second exemplary embodiment wherein a cover is fixedly connected to a tiltable driver's cab, wherein the separating area of the air inlet duct is closed;

FIG. 3 is a partial side view of a vehicle whose driver's cab has been pivoted forward into a tilted position, whereby the air inlet duct cover has correspondingly been pivoted into its covering position in the parting area over the open inlet duct.

DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a cover 20.1 for preventing an infiltration of foreign matter such as water, dirt, ice, snow and the like into an air guide duct 21 of an internal combustion engine (not shown in any more detail), preferably of a vehicle, such as can be seen for example in FIGS. 2 and 3 in connection with a second exemplary embodiment of a cover 20.2. The cover 20.1 covers an opening 22 of the air guiding duct 21 at an openable and re-closable separation area 23 of the air guide duct 21 in order to prevent the infiltration of the foreign bodies when the separation area 23 of the air guide duct 21 is open. In FIG. 1, the cover 20.1 is schematically indicated in its covering position 26 by of dashed lines, while the cover 20.1 is shown in said figure in its open position 27 by solid lines.

According to the invention, the cover 20.1 is operatively connected to a mechanism 25.1, by means of which said cover can be moved from its covering position 26, in which the opening 22 of the air guiding duct 21 is covered and in which the opening 22 is covered in an air-permeable manner in order to prevent the infiltration of the foreign bodies, into an open position 27 in which the air guide duct 21 is opened, and vice versa (see double arrow 32).

When the cover 20.1, as shown in FIG. 1, is in an open position 27, an air flow can pass through the opening 22 of the air guiding duct 21 in a manner completely unhindered by the cover 20.1. In this open position 27, the separation area 23 is preferably closed. This means that a further air guide duct (not shown in FIG. 1) is then connected to the air guide duct 21 in the region of its opening 22 in a preferably air-tight manner with said first air guide duct 21, such as for example is shown for the second exemplary embodiment of a cover 20.2 in FIGS. 2 and 3. The second air guiding duct (not shown in any more detail in FIG. 1) can thus selectively be connected to the first air guide duct 21 so as to close the separation area or can, proceeding therefrom, be detached from the first air guide duct 21 again so as to open the separation area 23, so that an openable and re-closable separation area 23 is thus provided.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the cover 20.1 which is pivotable about a pivot axis 30 is, by means of a pivot bearing 31, fastened to, and supported by, the air guide duct 21 which is fixedly connected to the air filter 28 or to the air filter housing 29.

The cover 20.1, in its covering position 26, is arranged at a small distance 35 from the separating area 23, which distance 35 is preferably smaller than the width 36 of the separation area 23 or the width, or the outer diameter, of the opening 22 of the first air guide duct 21.

The cover 20.1 is angled or bent in edge regions 42.1 and 42.2 which point away from one another. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, in the covering position 26 of the cover 20.1, that edge region 42.1 which extends laterally beyond the filter housing 29 is angled or bent downward, while that edge region 42.2 which is arranged above the filter housing 29 or which overlaps the filter housing 29 is angled or bent upward. By means of this design of the cover 20.1, any foreign matter which falls onto the cover 20.1 can be discarded to one side adjacent to the filter housing 29.

Situated in the air filter housing 29 is a filter for cleaning the air sucked in by an internal combustion engine (not shown in FIG. 1). The air filter housing 29 is arranged between the opening 22 of the first air guide duct 21 and the internal combustion engine. In other words, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the air filter housing 29 with the air filter 28 is arranged downstream of the opening 22 of the first air guide duct 21, and upstream of the internal combustion engine. In this way, the air sucked in by the internal combustion engine must pass the air filter 28 and is therefore cleaned of foreign matter such as dust even when the separation area 23 is open.

The cover 20.1 is advantageously designed such that, in the covering position 26, the cover 20.1 extends over the edges 24 of the opening 22 of the first air guide duct 21 which are therefore completely covered. The cover 20.1 is expediently formed, on its side 33 pointing away from the separation area 23, with a superficially closed and smooth protective shield 34, in such a way that foreign bodies which come to rest on the protective shield 34 slide to one side adjacent to the filter housing 29 and can in this way be directed away from the separation area 23.

For safety reasons, the mechanism 25.1 is designed such that, when the separation area 23 is opened, the cover 20.1 is automatically, moved from its open position 27 into its covering position 26. For this purpose, the cover 20.1 is operatively connected to a spring (not shown), for example a coil spring which can be arranged in the region of the pivot bearing 31, in such a way that the cover 20.1 is moved from its open position 27 into its covering position 26 by the spring force of the spring of a spring mechanism.

In order to allow the cover 20.1 to pivot back from the covering position 26 into the open position 27, a returning mechanism (not shown) is also provided. Said returning mechanism can, in the simplest case, be a Bowden cable mechanism. As indicated in FIG. 1, the end of a cable 46 is connected to the cover 20.1 at a distance from the pivot axis 30, so that cable 46 can operate as a pull cable for the purpose of moving the cover 20.1 from its covering position 26 to its open position 27.

The spring mechanism and/or the returning mechanism can advantageously be actuated by means of an electrical, mechanical or pneumatic drive, as a result of which the cover 20.1 is moved from its open position 27 into its covering position 26 and vice versa.

According to a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, the cover 20.1 can be part of a vehicle, in particular of a utility vehicle, for example of a truck, such as is shown for example in connection with the second exemplary embodiment of a cover 20.2 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The vehicle comprises a driver's cab or driver's cabin which can preferably be pivoted or tilted forward and rearward about a driver's cab pivot axle which is fixedly connected to the vehicle. The opening of the separation area 23 can be realized by tilting the driver's cabin into a tilted position, and the closing of the separation area 23 can be realized by pivoting or tilting the driver's cab back into its normal position or driving position. Here, coupling of the driver's cabin to the second air duct (not shown in any more detail in FIG. 1), which forms an air inlet line, and also to the cover 20.1, can advantageously be realized in that the opening and closing of the parting point 23 and also the movement of the cover 20.1 from its open position 27 into its covering position 26 and vice versa takes place as a result of, and during, a tilting movement of the driver's cab 37 of the vehicle 38 forward and rearward about the pivot axle which is fixedly connected to the vehicle frame.

In other words, during a tilting movement of the driver's cab, proceeding from its normal position or driving position, a first impetus can take place by means of which the mechanism 25 is triggered such that the cover 20.1 moves from its open position 27 into its covering position 26 on account of spring force, and wherein at the same time or after a delay, the driver's cab (not shown in any more detail in FIG. 1) with the second air duct (likewise not shown) preferably pivots forward, as a result of which the separation area 23 is opened. As the driver's cab is tilted back to its normal position or the driving position, a further impetus can take place which triggers a rolling-up or return mechanism which moves the cover 20.1 from its covering position 26 back into its open position 27 and thereby completely opens the separation area 23 again such that then, after the driver's cab (not shown in FIG. 1) has pivoted back completely, the second air guiding duct (likewise not shown in any more detail) bears against the first air guiding duct 21 again, that is to say the separation area 23 is then closed again in a preferably air-tight manner.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a second exemplary embodiment of a cover 20.2 according to the invention, wherein identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols as in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The cover 20.2 is fixedly connected to the driver's cab 37 of a vehicle 38, preferably of a utility vehicle, in particular of a truck. The driver's cab 37 can be tilted about a driver's cab pivot axis 39 which is fixedly connected to the chassis or vehicle frame 45 of the vehicle 38, so that as the driver's cab 37 is tilted about the driver's cab pivot axle 39, the cover 20.2 is pivoted together with said driver's cab 37 about the driver's cab pivot axle 39. The driver's cab pivot axle 39 is arranged approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 38 or perpendicular to the direction of travel. Here, the driver's cab pivot axle 39 can, as it is likewise shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, be arranged in the region of the front lower end of the driver's cab 37.

In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the driver's cab 37 can thus be pivoted, proceeding from the driving position 47 shown in FIG. 2, forward in the direction of travel about the driver's cab pivot axle 39 into the tilted position 48 shown in FIG. 3, for example for the purpose of assembly and/or servicing work; it must also be possible to carry out such assembly and/or servicing work when the engine is running.

The cover 20.2 which is embodied as a protective shield and which is supported by the driver's cab 37 is rigidly connected to the driver's cab 37 and is also of substantially rigid design, such that when the driver's cab 37 is tilted about the driver's cab pivot axle 39, the free end 40 of the cover 20.2 is pivoted about the driver's cab pivot axle 39 on a pivot path 44, shown as a dotted line in FIG. 2, when the driver's cab 37 is pivoted about its driver's cab pivot axle 39. The cover 20.2 is arranged and designed such that it covers the opening 22 of the air guide duct 21 of the air filter 28 even in a position in which the driver's cab is situated in a maximum possible tilted position relative to the vehicle frame 45, that is to say in this case is tilted as far forward as possible.

A filter housing 29 which is provided with an air filter is fixedly connected to the chassis or to the vehicle frame 45 of the vehicle 38, which filter housing 29 is in this case arranged in the region of the front end of the driver's cab 37, below the latter. In the region of the upper end of the air filter housing 29, a first air guide duct 21 extends from the side of the filter housing and has an upwardly oriented opening 22 in this case.

In the normal position or driving position 47 of the driver's cab 37 shown in FIG. 2, a rubber-like flexible bellows or corrugated tube 43 is detachably connected to the first air guide duct 21, to which in turn a second air guide duct 52 which is an air inlet duct and which can for example open out into a funnel or chimney (not illustrated in any more detail) is fixedly connected. The free end of the second air guide duct 52 can end in the region of or above the roof (likewise not shown) of the driver's cab 37 in order to be able to suck in the fresh air required by the internal combustion engine.

A separation area 23 is formed between the first air guide duct 21 and the corrugated tube 43 which likewise forms an air guide structure. At the separation area 23, the corrugated tube 43 which is detachably connected to the air guide duct 21 can be separated from the air guide duct 21. Such a separation or opening of the separation area 23 can be obtained in that the driver's cab 37, proceeding from the driving position 47 shown in FIG. 2, is pivoted forward about the driver's cab pivot axle 39, wherein on account of the corrugated tube 43 being fixedly connected to, and supported by, the second air guide duct 52 which is in turn fixedly connected to, and supported by, the driver's cab 37, the corrugated tube 43 is pivoted forward, together with the driver's cab 37, about the driver's cab pivot axle 39.

In order to nevertheless avoid the infiltration of foreign matter such as water, ice, dirt, snow and the like into the air guide system, or, respectively, into the first air guide duct 21 and the air filter 28, when the separation area 23 is opened, the cover 20.2 is provided. The cover 20.2 extends transversely, in this case perpendicularly with respect to, and away from, the base of the driver's cab 37, that is to say when the driver's cab 37 is in its driving position as per FIG. 2, downwards from the latter towards the ground. The cover 20.2 has a length and a design which is selected such that the cover 20.2, even in a maximum tilted position of the driver's cab 37, completely covers, and preferably additionally extends over, and projects laterally beyond, the opening 22 of the first air guide duct 21. It is self-evident that the cover 20.2 also has a width or an area which, in the maximum tilted position, completely covers the opening 22 of the first air guide duct 21 in order to ensure protection against the infiltration of foreign objects. The cover 20.2, in its open position 27, that is when the driver's cab 37 is in its normal position or driving position 47, extends transversely with respect to, and laterally along the inlet structure 43. Also, when the air duct system is closed, that is to say in the driving state of the utility vehicle, the cover 20.2 ensures that the closed separation area is protected, for example against stone chips, etc., from the wheel.

For additional protection against an infiltration of foreign matter in the rearward direction and to the side, the cover 20.2 can, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, have a flexible covering apron 41 in the region of its free end 40, which flexible covering apron 41 can for example be in the form of an elastomer lobe. The covering apron 41 hangs down from the cover 20.2 on account of gravity. During a tilting movement of the driver's cab 37 together with the cover 20.2 about the driver's cab pivot axle 39, the position and/or configuration of the covering apron relative to the cover 20.2 thus varies on account of gravity (cf. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3).

Like the cover 20.1, the cover 20.2 is also formed, on its side 33 pointing away from the separation area 23, with a closed, preferably smooth protective shield 34. Said protective shield 34 has an L-shaped or S-shaped cross section in this case. It is self-evident that the protective shield 34 or the covers 20.1 and 20.2 can also have other cross sections, for example a rectangular or an arched or curved cross section, so that foreign bodies which fall onto the cover 20.2 which is in its covering position 26 can be discharged from said cover 20.2 on account of gravity and if appropriate with the assistance of shaking or vibration movements of the driver's cab 37.

Advantageous protection of the open air guide at the separation area 23 against foreign bodies, such as dirt, ice, snow and rain, is obtained with both embodiments of the covers 20.1 and 20.2 without the air guidance and flow being adversely affected in any way when the separation area 23 is closed. It is self-evident that said covers 20.1 and 20.2 can be used not only alternatively but if appropriate also in combination.

In the case of the cover 20.2, the number of parts is minimized in relation to the cover 20.1, and a particularly simple device is provided which has no joints which could become contaminated.

The cover 20.2 can be produced more simply and more cost-effectively than the cover 20.1. In comparison with the cover 20.2, it is possible with the cover 20.1, which can be arranged at a small distance 35 from the separation area 23 and which is preferably smaller than the width 36 of the separation area 23 or the width or outer diameter of the opening 22 of the air guiding duct 21, to obtain improved protection against the infiltration of foreign matter into the air guide system.

The covers 20.1 and 20.2 can for example be produced from plastic and/or metal. 

1. A cover (20.1, 20.2) for preventing the infiltration of foreign matter into an air intake duct (21) of an internal combustion engine of a utility vehicle, the air intake duct (21) having a separation area (23) with an opening (22), said cover (20.1, 20.2) covering the opening (22) of the air intake duct (21) at the separation area (23) of the air intake duct (21) in an air-permeable manner in order to prevent the infiltration of the foreign matter, when the separation area (23) of the air guide duct (21) is open, said cover (20.1, 20.2) being operatively connected to a mechanism (25.1, 25.2), for moving the cover (20.1, 20.2) from its covering position (26), in which the opening (22) of the air intake duct (21) is covered into a withdrawn position (27) in which the opening (22) of the air intake duct (21) is opened but in which the separation area (23) is closed, and vice versa.
 2. The cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover (20.1, 20.2) is operatively connected to a mechanism (25.1, 25.2), by means of which, during the closure of the separation area (23), the cover (20.1, 20.2) is movable from its covering position (26) into its open position (27), and by means of which, upon the opening of the separation area (23), the cover (20.1, 20.2) is movable from its withdrawn position (27) to its covering position (26).
 3. The cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein, during closure of the separation area (23), said cover is in a withdrawn position (27) in which air can pass through the air intake duct (21) in a manner completely unrestricted by the cover (20.1, 20.2).
 4. The cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in its covering position (26), said cover extends across the opening (22) of the air intake duct (21), an air cleaning device disposed in an air filter housing (29) being arranged between the opening (22) and the internal combustion engine.
 5. The cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover is mounted so as to be pivotable, from its withdrawn position (27) to its covering position (26) and vice versa, about a pivot axis (30) of a pivot bearing (31) which is fastened to, and supported by, one of the filter housing (29) and the air intake duct (21) which is fixedly connected thereto.
 6. The cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in its covering position (26), said cover is arranged at a distance (35) from the separation area (23).
 7. The cover as claimed in claim 6, wherein the distance (35) is smaller than the width (36) of either one of the separation area (23) and the opening (22) of the air intake duct (21).
 8. The cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover is movable from its withdrawn position (27) into its covering position (26) by a spring force of a spring mechanism, and is movable from its covering position (26) into its withdrawn position (27) by means of a return mechanism.
 9. The cover as claimed in claim 8, wherein the spring mechanism and the return mechanism are operable by means of an electrical, mechanical or pneumatic drive means for moving the cover (20.1) from its withdrawn position (27) into its covering position (26) and vice versa.
 10. The cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening and closing of the separation area (23) and the movement of the cover (20.1, 20.2) from its withdrawn position (27) into its covering position (26) and vice versa takes place as a result of, and during, a tilting movement of a driver's cab (37) of the vehicle (38) about a driver's cab pivot axle (39) which is fixedly connected to the vehicle (38).
 11. The cover as claimed in claim 10, wherein said cover is fixedly connected to, and supported by, the driver's cab (37), so that as the driver's cab (37) is tilted about the driver's cab pivot axle (39), said cover is pivoted together with said driver's cab (37) about the driver's cab pivot axle (39).
 12. The cover as claimed in claim 11, wherein said cover extends transversely with respect to, and away from, a base of the driver's cab (37).
 13. The cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in a maximum tilted position of the drivers cab (37), the cover (20.2) fully covers the opening (22) of the air intake duct (21).
 14. The cover as claimed in claim 13, wherein said cover has a flexible covering apron (41) in the region of its free end (40).
 15. The cover as claimed in claim 14, wherein, during a tilting movement of the driver's cab (37) together with the cover (20.2) about the driver's cab pivot axle (39), the position of the covering apron (41) relative to the cover (20.2) varies on account of gravity.
 16. The cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in its covering position (26), said cover extends laterally over, and projects laterally beyond, the opening (22) of the air intake duct (21).
 17. The cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover is formed at a side (33) thereof pointing away from the separating area (23) with a smooth protective shield (34), which is closed at the top.
 18. The cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover is angled in one of an edge region (42.1, 42.2) and the region of one of its free ends (40).
 19. The cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in its withdrawn position (27), said cover is arranged transversely with respect to the separation area (23).
 20. The cover as claimed in claim 19, wherein said cover, in its withdrawn position (27), extends at one side of, and across, the separation area (23). 